February 24, 2003 – Yesterday saw a hard last stage in Portugal, where Denmark's Claus Michael Moller (Milaneza-MSS) clinched the overall by finishing second up the final climb. Canada's Michael Barry (USPS) rode well, helping his Columbian teammate Victor Hugo Pena (USPS) on the final climb (Victor Hugo Pena finished second overall, after fourth on the stage). Barry himself finished 15th overall, after a credible 21st on the tough finish.

Pedal: How'd it go today? How did your legs feel?

Barry: The stage was tough – windy and constantly up and down with a lot of attacks. We finished on a steep 2.5 km climb. My legs were not so hot today and I did what I could. Victor managed to stay in second which was great considering we only had five guys on the start line of the last stage. Chechu
got sick last night. He certainly was missed during the race. It is a strange feeling doing the meetings in the team bus in the morning with fewer and fewer riders. Kind of sad as we are a tight team. I am fighting Chechu's cold as are a few of the other guys so I would imagine this is why my legs were somewhat like blocks of wood.

The team usually starts the season off slowly so I think things went pretty well in Algarve considering we haven't done much high intensity training yet or any racing at all. With the bad luck we had during the race, illnesses and crashes, I think we did very well.

For more on Michael Barry check out michaelbarry.ca. To see the photo finish of his first stage podium finish, check out http://www.edosof.com/algarve03/.

Stage 5: Loule – Alto do Malho, 161.6km

1. Pedro Cardoso (Por) Milaneza-MSS 4.07.19 (39.205 km/h)
2. Claus Michael Moller (Den) Milaneza-MSS 0.02
3. David Bernabeu (Spa) Milaneza-MSS
4. Victor Hugo Pena (Col) U.S. Postal Service presented by Berry Floor
5. David Munoz (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca
6. Bruno Castanheira (Por) L.A. Pecol
7. Francisco Perez (Spa) Milaneza-MSS 0.13
8. Simone Bertoletti (Ita) Lampre 0.20
9. Sergio Paulinho (Por) ASC-Vila Do Conde 0.23
10. Unai Yus (Spa) Cantanhede-M-Marialva

Final Overall:
1. Claus Michael Moller (Den) Milaneza-MSS 17.19.06
2. Victor Hugo Pena (Col) U.S. Postal Service presented by Berry Floor 0.15
3. Pedro Cardoso (Por) Milaneza-MSS 0.34
4. David Bernabeu (Spa) Milaneza-MSS 0.38
5. Candido Barbosa (Por) L.A. Pecol 0.39
6. Bruno Castanheira (Por) L.A. Pecol 0.56
7. Francisco Perez (Spa) Milaneza-MSS 0.59
8. Simone Bertoletti (Ita) Lampre 1.01
9. Unai Yus (Spa) Cantanhede-M-Marialva 1.27
10. Juan Olmo (Spa) Barbot-Torrie 1.28
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15 Michael Barry (Can) U.S. Postal Service presented by Berry Floor 1.37